Disposable Appliance Bag and Method of Use Thereof

ABSTRACT

A water heater bag and the method of using the bag to dispose of the water heater are disclosed herein. The bag is comprised of a rectangular bottom, the rectangular bottom adapted to identify for the user the position or the bag for the most proper and easiest installation. One or more sidewalls are integrated to the bottom, extending away from the bottom at a generally perpendicular angle at full bag extension. Each top portion of the one or more sidewalls is adapted to extend beyond the top end of an inserted water heater, so the bags length is greater than the length of the water heaters it carries, or 90 inches. These top portions have an upper end opening adapted to receive the water heater and are adapted to fold and be punctured by at least one water port. The material used in constructing the bag is comprised of a disposable material having a thickness of about 2 mils.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention generally relates to bags for appliance such as, butlimited to, water heaters.

BACKGROUND

Water heating is a thermodynamic process using an energy source to heatwater above its initial temperature. Appliances adapted to provide agenerally constant supply of hot water are known as water heaters,boilers, heat exchangers, calorifiers or geysers depending on whetherthey are heating potable or non-potable water, in domestic or industrialuse, their energy source, and in which part of the world they are found.In domestic installations, potable water heated for uses other thanspace heating is sometimes known as Domestic Hot Water (DHW).

In household and commercial usage, most water heaters in North Americaare of the tank type, although tankless hot water heaters are becomingmore popular. Also called storage water heaters, these tank heatersoften comprise a cylindrical tank in which water is kept continuouslyhot and ready for use. Typical sizes for household use range from 75 to400 liters, or about 20 to 100 gallons. These heaters may useelectricity, natural gas, propane, heating oil, solar, or other energysources to heat the water. Natural gas heaters are popular in the UnitedStates and most European countries since the gas is often convenientlypiped throughout cities and towns and is the cheapest energy source touse. Compared to tankless heaters, storage tank water heaters have theadvantage of using energy (gas or electricity) at a relatively slowrate, storing the heat for later use. Larger tanks tend to provide hotwater with less temperature fluctuation at moderate flow rates.

The vertically-aligned cylindrical tanks used in the United Statesusually stand on the floor or on a platform raised a short distanceabove the floor. Other countries may have storage water heater tankswhich are typically horizontal. Some water heaters may be mounted in theceiling space or attic, possibly over laundry-utility rooms.

Water heater tanks have been historically made out of copper and weretherefore very corrosion resistant, often lasting for decades. Now tanksare made out of steel and lined with glass or porcelain. Unlike thecopper tanks, a steel tank can easily rust and leak over time. Toprevent water heater tank destruction, anode rods of magnesium oraluminum alloy are installed in the tanks. As these anode rods undergogalvanic corrosion, they reduce the corrosion of the steel tank itself.Typically, tanks with longer guarantees have increased anode material,so when the anode is used up, the tank begins to rust. It may bepossible to check the anode condition, and replace it if it is wearingout prior to the tank rusting. Modern US water heater tanks last aboutten years.

Often, when replacing hot water heater tanks, as well as other types ofappliances that use water, a large amount of water is spilled on thefloor surrounding the appliance. To prevent this from occurring, priorart water heater and appliance bags were created. However, these bagswere deficient in their design and use. For example, due the bagconstruction, the bags are very expensive and bulky. Furthermore, thebag design (particularly the horizontal length-wise opening and thelength) was such that the water heater bags often leaked and createdunsafe conditions. A water heater is prone to leaking in a prior artbag, given the horizontal opening in the bag and that the water istypically placed in the bag in a horizontal position. These leaks intothe bag potentially create an unsafe environment for those working andliving with and near the bag. For example, mildew and bacterial growthmay occur in the damp conditions. Requiring the water heater to bepositioned horizontally essentially defeats the purpose of using a bagsince the water heater nearly always leaks into the bag and often ontothe surroundings. Moreover, the prior bags did not allow a user todispose of the bag after a single use and therefore users were requiredto remove the water heater to dispose of the water heater and reuse thebag.

SUMMARY OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a water heater bag positioned around awater heater with arrows describing the direction the sides of the topend of the water heater bag should be folded according to one embodimentof the invention.

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a water heater bag positioned around awater heater with one top end side folded over the hot and cold waterports, the ports puncturing the bag according to one embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of a bottom portion of a water heater setinside an unfolded water heater bag according to one embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 4 is a side view of one alternative way of using an embodiment of awater heater bag without employing the use of a strap or dolly to removethe water heater bag and coupled water heater from a premises in orderto dispose of the water heater according to one embodiment of theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

When removal of a water heater from a home or business is necessary, adisposable water heater bag may be employed to help a plumber or otherwater heater replacement technician from spilling water during thereplacement process as well as to make it easier for the plumber ortechnician to remove the water heater from the premises. Employing theuse of a disposable water heater bag enables for easier disposal of thewater heater as the water heater may no longer need removal from the bagprior to disposal. By having a rectangular bottom, an open upper end anda material adapted to be pierced by the hot and cold water ports, oneembodiment of a disposable water heater bag may be adapted to also allowfor a quicker removal and disposable process of the water heater aswell.

A water heater bag may be comprised of a flexible polymeric materialabout 2 mils thick and may be used to help transport a used water heaterwhenever a water heater is to be replaced, removed from the premises, ormoved to a different location. To perform these functions, in oneembodiment and with one method, a water heater bag may first beunfolded. Unfolding the bag allows a user to correctly position the bagto receive a used water heater and prevent water spillage. One waterheater bag embodiment may be unfolded to allow the rectangular waterheater bag bottom to be placed on a flat surface. An upper end of thebag may have the upper end opening. As the bag is unfolded, the upperend opening and rectangular bottom may be exposed.

Upon unfolding and correctly positioning the bag, one embodiment of theinvention is adapted to, and one method allows for, a used water heaterto be inserted into the bag. The water heater end not having waterinlet/outlet ports may be first inserted into the opening and placed onthe generally rectangular bottom. This end, in one method, may be awater heater bottom end. Upon placing the water heater end through theopening and onto the rectangular bottom, one or more water heater bagsidewalls may be pulled along the length of the water heater.

Fully extended, the one or more sidewalls are long enough in oneembodiment to extend beyond the opposing end of the water heater, whichmay be a top end having hot and cold water inlet/exit ports. Uponextending past the top end of the water heater in one embodiment andmethod, and pulling the bag generally taut, an embodiment's sidewallsare adapted to fold over and operatively couple to the top end of thewater heater. For example, in one embodiment, a first sidewall maygenerally fold towards a second sidewall, coming into contact with thehot and cold water inlet/outlet ports. The sidewall is continued to befolded towards the water heater end, with the ports eventually piercingthe sidewall. A second, third, fourth, etc., sidewall may also be foldedand pierced by the ports.

Once the water heater has been placed in the bag and the bog is closedeither with the method disclosed above or otherwise, in one embodiment,the bag and heater may be placed vertically on a dolly and convenientlyrolled out of the removal location. Alternatively, one embodiment andone method may involve dragging or carrying the water heater and bag outof the premises. A user may grab the bag near the hot and cold waterports and use this portion of the bag as a handle to help facilitatemovement of the bag and heater to the disposal location—this method isan alternative removal method in some bag embodiments. The bag and theheater may be disposed of after a single use. Other closing and handlingdevices are also contemplated.

By using a disposable hot water heater bag in this manner, a user isable to dispose of a water heater in a more efficient manner than withprior art bags which are not disposable as there is no need to removethe heater from the bag prior to disposal. Furthermore, including anupper end opening instead of an opening along the length of the bagdecreases the chance at water spillage since the opening is a muchsmaller opening and can be positioned correctly during movement of theheater. Also, as the one or more sidewalls are adapted to extend beyondthe upper end of water heater, the bag is larger than prior art bags,allowing for use with larger water heater systems than prior art bags.Furthermore, the rectangular bottom allows a user to correctly positionthe water heater bag prior to reception of the bottom end. Altogether,these improvement save time, money, and resources for plumbers and watertank installation technicians.

Terminology:

The terms and phrases as indicated in quotation marks (“ ”) in thissection are intended to have the meaning ascribed to them in thisTerminology section applied to them throughout this document, includingin the claims, unless clearly indicated otherwise in context. Further,as applicable, the stated definitions are to apply, regardless of theword or phrase's case, tense or any singular or plural variations of thedefined word or phrase.

The term “or” as used in this specification and the appended claims isnot meant to be exclusive rather the term is inclusive meaning “eitheror both”.

References in the specification to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “apreferred embodiment”, “an alternative embodiment”, “a variation”, “onevariation”, and similar phrases mean that a particular feature,structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodimentis included in at least an embodiment of the invention. The appearancesof phrases like “in one embodiment”, “in an embodiment”, or “in avariation” in various places in the specification are not necessarilyall meant to refer to the same embodiment or variation.

The term “couple”, “coupled”, “coupling”, or any variation thereof, asused in this specification and the appended claims refers to either anindirect or direct connection between the identified elements,components or objects. Often the manner of the coupling will be relatedspecifically to the manner in which the two coupled elements interact.Specifically, this term may be used to define two elements joined by abolted fastener, a latch, a hook, or any other reasonably readilyremovable fastening device.

The term “integrate” or “integrated” as used in this specification andthe appended claims refers to a blending, uniting, or incorporation ofthe identified elements, components or objects into a unified whole.

Directional and/or relationary terms such as, but not limited to, left,right, nadir, apex, top, bottom, vertical, horizontal, back, front andlateral are relative to each other and are dependent on the specificorientation of a applicable element or article, and are used accordinglyto aid in the description of the various embodiments and are notnecessarily intended to be construed as limiting.

As applicable, the terms “about” or “generally” as used herein unlessotherwise indicated means a margin of ±20%. Also, as applicable, theterm “substantially” as used herein unless otherwise indicated means amargin of ±10%. It is to be appreciated that not all uses of the aboveterms are quantifiable such that the referenced ranges can be applied.

One Embodiment of a Disposable Water Heater Bag

As best shown in FIGS. 1 through 3, a water heater bag 10 comprises abottom 12 having a generally rectangular shape. In FIGS. 1 and 2, therectangular bottom corners are folded up around the water heater 16.Having a rectangularly shaped bottom may make it easier for a plumber toidentify the bottom in order to correctly receive the water heater.Furthermore, the rectangular bottom may make it easier to place thewater heater in the bag in the correct manner. In one embodiment, therectangular bottom comprises a generally flat rectangular bottom with asize adapted to receive a bottom end 20 of a water heater 16. Besidesthe rectangular bottom, one disposable water heater bag may also becomprised of one or more expandable sidewalls 14. As best shown in FIG.1, one embodiment may be comprised of 4 sidewalls.

The sidewalls 14 of one embodiment may be integrated to the generallyrectangular bottom 12. The sidewalls extend generally perpendicularlyaway from the bottom when the sides are extended. The sides and thebottom may be comprised of a flexible polymeric material. The materialcomprises a thickness that is adapted to prevent unwanted ripping of thebag upon reception of a water heater. A preferred thickness is about 1.0mils to 5.0 mils, a more preferred thickness of about 1.5 mils to 4.0mils, and a most preferred thickness of about 2.00 to 3.00 mils. Oneembodiment may have one or more sidewalls which is comprised of acrease. The crease in the one or more sidewalls may enable to sidewallto expand widthwisely, for example.

Upon receiving a water heater, one bag is comprised of a flexiblepolymeric material in order to allow the one or more sidewalls to foldafter extending past a water heater top end 18, as best shown in FIG. 2.In such an extension position, the one or more sidewalls may be adaptedto substantially surround a water heater side 22. The folding may occurto adequately secure the water heater to the bag. One water heater 16may be a generally cylindrically shaped water heater,vertically-aligned. As best seen in FIG. 2, as the one of the one ormore sidewalls 14 extend beyond the heater top end, the sidewalls aregenerally parallelly aligned with a water heater longitudinal axis. Uponfolding, the one or more sidewalls may be adapted to obtain a generallyperpendicularly aligned position with the with the water heaterlongitudinal axis.

The bag 10 may be adapted to fold through the use of the particularmaterial the bag is comprised of. For example, if the bag is comprisedof polyethylene or a polyethylene-based material (which may bedisposable), the bag may be adapted to fold by pulling the one or moresidewalls taut—wherein the bottom 12 is generally flush against a waterheater bottom end 20. Alternatively, the bag may fold through the use ofhinges, an internal frame, or other folding mechanisms generally knownin the art. During folding, at least one of the one more water heaterbag sidewalls may be pivoted against the intersection of the waterheater top end 18 and the water heater side 22.

The one or more sidewalls 14 are adapted to fold to a position wherein asidewall top portion 24 is substantially perpendicular with thelongitudinal axis of the water heater. In order to do so, as thesidewall is folded towards the water heater top end 18, as best shown inFIG. 2, an inner surface 26 of the top portion may come into contactwith at least one port 28. The port may be a hot or cold waterinlet/outlet pipe. A force may be exerted on the top portion proximalthe pipe which is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of theport. The port longitudinal axis may be generally parallel to thelongitudinal axis of the water heater. As the inner surface 26 contactsa pipe end, the top portion is continued to be folded, coming to restagainst the water heater top end. By continuing to exert force on thetop portion, placing the top portion in a generally perpendicularposition proximal the port longitudinal axis, one embodiment's topportion is adapted to be punctured by the pipe.

One embodiment may be adapted to be punctured through one or moreperforations in the bag sidewall 14 top portion 24. The perforations mayhave a cross-sectional diameter generally equal to the cross-sectionaldiameter of the pipe. Furthermore, the perforations may be located in abag position adapted to allow the pipe to fit through the perforations.In such an embodiment, the bag may be substantially taut against thewater heater. The perforated edges may be reinforced. In one embodiment,the puncture bore created by the pipe may help secure the bag to thewater heater. Furthermore, additional sidewalls may be adapted to helpsecure the bag to the heater. In one embodiment, upon folding thesidewalls, the sidewall material may “bunch” up at the water heater endthe sidewalls are folded at, as best shown in FIG. 4. When not using adolly in one alternative embodiment or method, this bunched material maybe used as a handle to help drag or carry the water heater. However, oneembodiment may also be comprised of a handle, strap of another similarcarrying mechanism. For example, one bag may be comprised of a strapadapted to couple to a dolly, wherein the strap may be coupled orintegrated to one or more sidewalls. A dolly may be used to transportthe water heater to the bag and the bag and dolly may be then dolliedout of the premises. Two persons may be required to transport a waterheater from the premises.

In addition to the generally rectangular bottom 12 and the one or moresidewalls 14 having a top portion 24 adapted to be punctured by at leastone water port 28, one embodiment of a water heater bag 10 may also becomprised of an upper end opening. One upper end opening may be a bagcavity created by one end of the one or more sidewalls. For example, inone embodiment, and as best shown in FIG. 1, the one or more sidewallsend may be a top portion upper end 30, the upper end comprising an endintegrated to and opposing the end of the sidewall integrated with thebottom 12. The upper end may also be referred to as a sidewall edge.

The upper end opening of one embodiment is adapted to substantiallyclose. One way that the upper end opening may close is through thepuncturing method described above. However, a portion of the upper endmay also close in a different manner. For example, at least a portion ofthe upper end opening may be closed through a coupling mechanism suchas, but not limited to, a drawstring, an adhesive, or with anothercoupling mechanism or a combination of one or more coupling mechanisms.

One Method of a Disposing of a Water Heater:

As best shown in FIGS. 1 though 4, a method of disposing of a waterheater 16 is comprised of using a water heater bag 10 comprising arectangular bottom 12 and one or more sidewalls 14 integrated to thebottom. The one or more sidewalls may be comprised of a top portion 24.The top portions of one embodiment used in a method are adapted to fold.Furthermore, the top portions may be adapted to be punctured by at leastone water port 28.

One method may also use an embodiment comprised of sidewalls 14 with alength greater than 90 inches. The sidewalls may create an openingcalled an upper end opening which is adapted to receive a water heater16. One material which is used may be a disposable material having athickness of about 2 mils.

Besides using a water heater bag 10 as described above, a method fordisposing of a water heater 16 may include unfolding the disposablewater heater bag. To unfold the bag, the bag may be removed from acarrying case and placed on a substantially flat surface. One edge ofthe bag may then be lifted and unfoldingly placed on an opposing bagside. This may enable the size of the area resting on the substantiallyflat surface to double. This method of unfolding may occur until the bagis substantially fully unfolded.

A separate unfolding method may also be implemented. In one suchseparate method, the bag 10 may be unfolded in a manner wherein thegenerally rectangular bottom 12 lies substantially flat on a surface andthe sidewalls 14 are bunched, grouped, placed, or unfolded around thebottom, as best shown in FIG. 3. One method may include placing orarranging the one or more sidewalls in a manner adapted to allow thesidewalls to be pulled over the water heater side upon placement of theheater bottom end 20 on the generally rectangular bag bottom. In onemethod, the upper end opening and the bottom may both be exposed uponunfolding and ready to receive the water heater 10. A method may exposethe opening and bottom to a vertical water heater reception, althoughhorizontal and other angled reception positions of the bag are alsocontemplated.

One method may be comprised of removing a generally cylindrical usedwater heater 16 having a generally elliptical cross-section, a bottomend 20, and at least one side from where the water heater was installed.For example, the water heater may be installed in a basement of a house.In such a case, the method may include removing the water heater fromthis location. The removed water heater may then be placed into theupper end opening created by an edge of the one or more sidewalls 14. Inone method, the bottom end of the water heater is placed through theupper end opening. The water heater is then set upon the generallyrectangular bottom 12. In one method, it is the water heater bottom endthat is set against the bag bottom. The method may then includesubstantially surrounding the at least one water heater sides havinggenerally elliptical cross-sections with the one or more sidewalls. Inone method, this occurs through pulling on the bag sidewalls so thesidewall may extend over the water heater side.

One method may further include extending the bag's one or more sidewalls14 past a water heater top end 18, as best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Whenthe one or more sidewalls 14 are extended beyond the top end 18 of thewater heater 16, the sidewalls may be substantially encircle the waterheater. The portion of the sidewalls extending past the water heater topend may be referred to as the top portion 24. In one method, the topportion of the one or more sidewalls is adapted to fold. For example,the sidewalls inner surface 26 may fold towards the water heater topend.

Furthermore, the one or more sidewall top portions 24 may be adapted tobe pierced or punctured. For example, as the left sidewall top portionas shown in FIG. 1 is folded to become generally perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis of the water heater and as the inner surface 26 comesto rest against the top end 18 of the water heater, the hot and/or coldwater ports 28 may pierce the bag 10. This may occur through applying aforce to the water heater bag. One type of force that may be applied tothe bag is a downward force generally parallel to the longitudinal axisof the water heater. The force may be applied proximal the water ports.In one method, a first sidewall may fold towards a second sidewall.

A method may also include removing the water heater 16. For example, awater heater may need to be replaced. Therefore, the method may requireremoval of the water heater from the installation location and afterplacing the heater inside of the bag, removing the bag and heater fromthe premises. In one method, the water heater may be removed byvertically placing the water heater into the water heater bag and thenusing a dolly to remove the water heater and bag from the premises. Adolly is one type of water heater or appliance transport system whichmay be used to remove the water heater or other appliance from thepremises. The use of a dolly may be important as some water heaters arerequired to be kept in a generally vertical position to preventspillage. Furthermore, some heaters are too heavy to carry. By using adolly, or when a water heater may be carried, these removal methodsprevent the water heater bag from breaking upon removal. A dolly mayalso be used to place the water heater into the bag instead of carryingthe water heater into the bag. Upon removing the water heater and bagfrom the premises, one method may include simultaneously disposing ofthe water heater and the water heater bag.

Alternative Embodiments and Methods

The embodiments of the disposable water heater bag and methods of use asillustrated in the accompanying figures and described above are merelyexemplary and are not meant to limit the scope of the invention. Forexample, it is contemplated to have a similar disposal bag for toilets.It is to be appreciated that numerous variations to the invention havebeen contemplated as would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in theart with the benefit of this disclosure.

1) A water heater bag comprising, a rectangular bottom; one or moresidewalls integrated to the bottom, the one or more sidewalls comprisinga top portion adapted to perform at least one of (i) folding and (ii)being punctured by at least one water port, a length greater than 90inches; a top portion having an upper end opening adapted to receive awater heater; and a disposable material having a thickness of about 2mils. 2) The water heater bag of claim 1 wherein, the rectangular bottomcomprises, about a 28 inch width, about a 26 inch height, and wherein,is adapted to receive a bottom end of a generally cylindrical waterheater; and the upper end opening is adapted to be substantially closethrough perforating a surface of the top portion by folding the one ormore sidewalls. 3) The water heater bag of claim 2 wherein, the one ormore sidewalls are adapted to fold upon (i) placing a water heater endmay on the rectangular bottom, and (ii) extending the one or moresidewalls along the length of the water heater, generally surroundingone or more water heater sides. 4) The water heater bag of claim 1wherein, the one or more sidewalls extend from the rectangular bottom tothe top portion, the top portion adapted to extend beyond a water heatertop end upon placing a water heater bottom end on the rectangularbottom; and the one or more sidewall top portions adapted to fold from adirection generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the water heaterto a direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. 5) Thewater heater bag of claim 1 wherein, the one or more sidewalls areadapted to be punctured by (i) placing a portion of an inner surface ofthe one or more sidewalls on an end of the at least one port, and (ii)exerting a force onto a portion of the sidewall proximal the port. 6)The water heater bag of claim 5 wherein, the force exerted onto thesidewall top portion is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis ofthe port. 7) The water heater bag of claim 1 wherein, the one or moresidewall top portions are comprised of a sidewall edge, the sidewalledge comprising the upper end opening; the upper end opening is adaptedto receive a water heater; and further comprising, one of a handle and astrap enabling the water heater bag to be one of carried or dollied uponreceiving a water heater. 8) A method of disposing of a water heaterusing water heater bag of claim 1 the method comprising, unfolding adisposable water heater bag comprising an upper end opening, one or moresidewalls, and a generally rectangular bottom; exposing the upper endopening and the generally rectangular bottom; removing a generallycylindrical used water heater having a generally ellipticalcross-section, a bottom end, and at least one side from a water heaterinstallation location; placing the used water heater into to the upperend opening; setting the water heater bottom end against the generallyrectangular bottom; and substantially surrounding the generallyelliptical cross-section side with the one or more sidewalls. 9) A waterheater combination comprising; a first water heater comprising a bottomend and adapted to be removed from an installation area; a disposableflexible polymeric water heater bag comprising, a thickness from 2 milto 3 mils, a generally rectangular bottom end adapted to receive thefirst water heater bottom end, one or more sidewalls adapted to coupleto the first water heater, and the bag being adapted to substantiallyretain water exiting from the water heater; and a second water heateradapted to be placed into the installation area. 10) The water heatercombination of claim 9 wherein, the first water heater comprises atleast one of a hot water and a cold water port; and the generallyrectangular bottom is integrated to one or more sidewalls, the one ormore sidewalls adapted to longitudinally expand. 11) The water heatercombination of claim 9 wherein, the second water heater comprises a newwater heater; and wherein, the first water heater comprises a used waterheater. 12) The water heater combination of claim 9 wherein, thedisposable flexible polymeric water heater bag further comprises, alength greater than 90 inches; and is adapted to, generally surround thefirst water heater upon receiving the first water heater bottom end, andbe one of carried or coupled to a transport system upon generallysurrounding the first water heater. 13) A water heater disposal methodcomprising, unfolding a disposable water heater disposal bag comprisingan upper end opening, one or more sidewalls, and a generally rectangularbottom; placing a generally cylindrical used first water heater having abottom end and a side having a generally elliptical cross-section intothe upper end opening; setting the water heater bottom end against thegenerally rectangular bottom; substantially surrounding the generallyelliptical cross-section side with the one or more sidewalls; andpiercing the one or more sidewalls. 14) The method of claim 13 wherein,said unfolding comprises, laying the generally rectangular bottom on asubstantially flat surface; vertically exposing the upper end opening;and placing the one or more sidewalls in a manner adapted to allow thesidewalls to be pulled over the water heater side. 15) The method ofclaim 13 further including, folding a top portion of the one or moresidewalls; puncturing the one or more sidewalls; substantiallyencircling the water heater with the water heater bag; removing thewater heater from the premises; and simultaneously disposing of thewater heater and the water heater bag. 16) The method of claim 13wherein, surrounding the water heater side includes pulling on asidewalls top portion over a water heater top end; and furtherincluding, removing the first water heater from the premises; andinstalling second water heater to same location. 17) The method of claim16 wherein, the second water heater comprises a new water heater; andthe used water heater is placed though the upper end opening byinserting the water heater bottom end into the opening; 18) The methodof claim 13 wherein, the unfolding includes exposing the generallyrectangular bottom and the upper end opening; and the piercing includesplacing a water port through one or more sidewall top portions. 19) Themethod of claim 18 further including, using a dolly to (i) keep thewater heater generally vertical and (ii) place the water heater into thebag; and using a dolly to transport the water heater away from aninstallation premises. 20) The method of claim 19 further including,disposing of the water heater with removing the heater from the bag; andinstalling a new water heater.